Thick Pad-Integrated Double-Layer Nylon Zipper or Single-Layer Nylon Reverse Zipper and Luggage Mounting Arrangement

ABSTRACT

A thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement includes a lining of a hardside luggage, a zipper including two zipper tapes and a zipper slider slidable to close/open the zipper tapes, and two N bars respectively fixedly fastened with the lining and the zipper tapes together. Each N bar has an upper layer, a lower layer, and a thick pad element integrated intermediate layer connected between the upper layer and the lower layer and fastened with the respective zipper tape to the lining by stitches to define a vertical gap in the luggage below the zipper tapes for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider when the zipper slider is moved to open or close the zipper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to buckle technology, and more particularly, to a thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, which facilitates smooth sliding of the zipper slider of the zipper in the luggage, improving the level of application safety and enhancing the quality of the luggage.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional nylon zipper 1 (see FIG. 1) is a single layer design. After fixation of each zipper tape 11 of the nylon zipper 1 to the lining 10 of a hardside or softside luggage, the gap left in the luggage beneath the zipper tapes 11 is sufficient for the passing of the lower half 121 of the zipper slider 12 without causing interference. However, if a single-layer nylon reverse zipper 1′ is used in a luggage, the thickness of the lower half 121′ of the zipper slider 12′ of the single-layer nylon reverse zipper 1′ is greatly increased for accommodating the downwardly disposed interlocking series of teeth 13′, thus, the gap of the path for zipper slider in the luggage is insufficient for receiving the combined thickness of the lower half 121′ of the zipper slider 12′ and interlocking series of teeth 13′, i.e., the combined thickness of the lower half 121′ of the sipper slider 12′ and interlocking series of teeth 13′ is larger than the combined thickness of the zipper tape 11′ and the lining 10′. When sliding the zipper slider 12′, the zipper slider 12′ will rub against the lining 10′ of the luggage. This problem will be more apparent if the zipper is installed in a corner area of the luggage. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, each zipper tape 23 may be fastened with an intermediate layer 32 of an N bar 3 to a polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or polycarbonate lining 20 of a luggage. The N bar 3 is made by polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic polyurethanes, comprising an upper layer 31, the aforesaid intermediate layer 32, and a lower layer 33. The lining 20 is disposed between the intermediate layer 32 and lower layer 33 of the N bar 3. The upper layer 31, intermediate layer 32 and lower layer 33 of the N bar 3 are substantially equal in thickness. After installation, the lowest part of the lower half of the zipper slide is disposed below the elevation of the bottom side of the lower layer 33 of the N bar 3. Thus, if the zipper is installed in a corner area of the luggage, the zipper slider will receives much resistance when it is moved to close or open the zipper. Therefore, an improvement in this regard is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, which uses thick pad elements, such as flexible packing strips or N bars to increase the thickness of the zipper tapes in the luggage so that a vertical gap of path for zipper slider is defined in the luggage below the zipper tapes for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider when the zipper slider is moved to open or close the zipper, improving the level of application safety and enhancing the quality of the luggage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the arrangement of a single-layer nylon zipper in a softside luggage according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view illustrating friction between a lower half of a zipper slider of a single-layer nylon reverse zipper and a lining of a luggage according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view illustrating friction between a lower half of a zipper slider of a double-layer nylon zipper and an N bar in a luggage according to the prior art.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a double-layer nylon zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a hardside luggage in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a double-layer nylon zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a softside luggage in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a single-layer nylon reverse zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a soft side luggage in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic plain view illustrating two flat plastic packing strips fastened to respective lateral parts of two zipper tapes of a double-layer nylon zipper according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plain view illustrating two flat plastic packing strips fastened to respective lateral parts of two zipper tapes of a double-layer nylon zipper and inwardly turned with the respective lateral parts to a bottom side of the zipper tapes according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plain view of a flat plastic packing strip according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic plain view illustrating a different design of flat plastic packing strips affixed to two zipper tapes of a double-layer nylon zipper in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is schematic elevational view, in an enlarged scale, illustrating still another different design of flat plastic packing strips in double-layer nylon zipper in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view, in an enlarged scale, of the flat plastic packing strip shown in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 4-9, the present invention provides a thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement. In one embodiment of the present invention, thick pad elements, for example, flexible packing strips are set in between each zipper tape of the zipper and the lining of the luggage (either hardside or softside) so that a sufficient vertical gap of path for zipper slider can be defined in the luggage below the zipper tapes for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider of the zipper when the zipper slider is moved to open or close the zipper. In another embodiment of the present invention, a thick pad element is integrated into an intermediate layer of a N bar and fastened to one respective zipper tape and the lining of the luggage, so that a sufficient vertical gap of path for zipper slider can be defined in the luggage below the zipper tapes for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider of the zipper when the zipper slider is moved to open or close the zipper. Thus, the invention facilitates smooth sliding of the zipper slider of the zipper, improving the level of application safety and enhancing the quality of the luggage.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a double-layer nylon zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a hardside luggage, in which, the N bar, referenced by 3, comprises an upper layer 31, an intermediate layer 32 and a lower layer 33. The intermediate layer 32 of the N bar 3 has two opposing ends thereof respectively curved upward and downward and respectively terminated in the upper layer 31 and the lower layer 33. The invention is characterized in that the intermediate layer 32 has a thick pad element integrated therein. After the zipper tape 41, the intermediate layer 32 of the respective N bar 3 and the lining 21 of the hardside luggage are aimed and stitched together, the distance between the zipper tape 41 and the lining 21 of the hardside luggage is larger than the distance between the lining 21 of the hardside luggage and the top wall of the bottom panel 421 of the zipper slider 42 of the double-layer nylon zipper. Thus, even if the intermediate layer 32 is affixed to a corner area of the hardside luggage, there is sufficient space for accommodating the lower part of the zipper slider 42, i.e., the bottom panel 421. Although the design of the thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement is a simple technical concept, it achieves great improvement and involves an inventive step.

Commercial luggage includes hardside luggage and softside luggage. The lining (face material) of a hardside luggage is generally selected from the group of polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate. Referring to FIG. 3, the N bar 3 used in commercial luggage can be made by polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic polyurethan. Referring to FIG. 4 again, the intermediate layer 32 of the N bar 3 in accordance with the present invention has a thick pad element integrated therein (i.e., the thickness of the intermediate layer 32 of the N bar 3 is greatly increased when compared to the prior art design) so that a sufficient space can be provided for receiving the lower half of the zipper slider 42. For use in a #8 double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper, the thickness of the intermediate layer of the N bar in accordance with the present invention is increased to about 2.5˜3.5 mm; For use in a #10 double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper, the thickness of the intermediate layer of the N bar in accordance with the present invention is increased to about 3˜4 mm Further, subject to cost-effective and waterproof considerations, the N bar 3 can be selected from the group of environmentally friendly grade plastic materials suitable for extrusion molding or foam molding, stitched cloth materials and other environmentally friendly grade materials that can be stitched to the lining of the luggage.

Further, a technical measure of the application of extrusion or form molded flexible packing strips or fabric-based thick pad elements in a softside luggage in accordance with the present invention is outlined hereinafter.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a double-layer nylon zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a softside luggage in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic plain view illustrating each zipper tape of a single-layer nylon reverse zipper stitched with a respective thick pad element to the lining of a soft side luggage in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated, a thick pad element, for example, flexible packing strip 5,5′ is transversely attached to the bottom side of the zipper tape 61,61′ in such a manner that the zipper tape 61,61′ is attached to a top side of an upper part 711,711′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′ with a lateral part 611,611′ thereof turned inward and attached to an opposing bottom side of the upper part 711,711′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′; a flexible packing strip 5,5′ is transversely set in between the upper part 711,711′ and lower part 712,712′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′ beneath the lateral part 611,611′ of the zipper tape 61,61′; a cloth-wrapped metal frame 72,72′ of the lining 7,7′ is set in between the flexible packing strip 5,5′ and the lower part 712,712′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′. The zipper tape 61,61′, the flexible packing strip 5,5′, the cloth-wrapped metal frame 72,72′ and the lining 7,7′ are then stitched together. Thus, the flexible packing strip 5,5′ is disposed beneath the lateral part 611,611′ of the zipper tape 61,61′; the upper part 711,711′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′ is disposed above the lateral part 611,611′ of the zipper tape 61,61′; the cloth-wrapped metal frame 72,72′ and lower part 712,712′ of the lining 7,7′ are disposed beneath the flexible packing strip 5,5′. This design provides a sufficient gap for the passing of the lower half 621,621′ of the zipper slider 62,62′, presenting the vertical part 713,713′ of the lining fabric 71,71′ of the lining 7,7′ between the upper part 711,711′ and the lower part 712,712′ to be worn out. In an alternate form of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 7, a flat plastic packing strip 9 is stitched to each zipper tape 81 of a single-layer nylon reverse zipper prior to installation of the single-layer nylon reverse zipper in a softside luggage. The flat plastic packing strip 9 has an insertion groove 91 located in a top side thereof. The lateral part 811 of the zipper tape 81 is attached to the top surface of the flat plastic packing strip 9 and inserted into the insertion groove 91. After the zipper tape 81 and the flat plastic packing strip 9 are fastened together, the zipper tape 81 and the flat plastic packing strip 9 are then stitched to the lining of the softside luggage. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the flat plastic packing strip 9′ can be stitched to the top side of the lateral part 811′ of the zipper tape 81′ of a double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper 90′. After the zipper tape 81′ and the flat plastic packing strip 9′ are fastened together, the lateral part 811′ with the flat plastic packing strip 9′of the zipper tape 81′ are turned to the bottom side of the zipper tape 81′ and then stitched to the lining of the softside luggage. Thus, a sufficient gap is provided for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider 92′.

Further, in the application of the flexible packing strip 5,5′ or the intermediate layer 32 of the N bar 3 to provide a sufficient gap in the vertical direction for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider, the transverse distance between the left-sided flexible packing strip or the intermediate layer of the left-sided N bar and the right-sided flexible packing strip or the intermediate layer of the right-sided N bar must be larger than the maximum width W of the zipper slider 42, so that the zipper slider 42 can be moved smoothly in the luggage without causing much resistance. The size of the left-sided flexible packing strip or the intermediate layer of the left-sided N bar can be determined according to the size of the zipper and the width the zipper tape.

In another alternate form of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 10, a flat plastic packing strip 9″ is stitched or bonded to each zipper tape 81″ of a double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper 90″, and then the flat plastic packing strip 9″ is fastened with the associating zipper tape 81″ to the lining of a softside luggage. The flat plastic packing strip 9″ has two thin thickness portions 93″ extending along two opposite lateral sides thereof for fastening to the top or bottom side of the zipper tape 81″ with stitches.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, still another alternate form of flat plastic packing strips 9′″ are attached to the (transverse) end edge areas of the zipper tapes of the double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and stitched with the zipper tapes to the four corner areas of the luggage to provide a sufficient gap for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider, saving the cost. For use in a hardside luggage, this another alternate form of flat plastic packing strips 9′″ can be stitched with regular N bars to the luggage, i.e., for use in a hardside luggage, each this another alternate form of flat plastic packing strip 9′″ is made in the intermediate layer of the N bar to increase the thickness of the intermediate layer of the N bar so as to provide a sufficient gap for the passing of the lower half of the zipper slider in one corner area of the hardside luggage smoothly without interference. Thus, this design has the advantages of ease of packaging and cost saving.

In conclusion, the invention provides a thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, which facilitates smooth sliding of the zipper slider of the zipper in the luggage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, comprising: a lining of a hardside luggage, a zipper comprising two zipper tapes and a zipper slider slidable to close/open said zipper tapes, and two N bars respectively fixedly fastened with said lining and said zipper tapes together, wherein each said N bar comprises an upper layer, a lower layer, and a thick pad element integrated intermediate layer connected between said upper layer and said lower layer and fastened with the respective said zipper tape to said lining by stitches, the thickness of said thick pad element integrated intermediate layer being larger than the thickness of the lower part of said zipper slider of said zipper.
 2. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap between said two N bars is larger than the maximum width of said zipper slider.
 3. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thick pad element is a flat plastic packing strip installed in said intermediate layer of said N bar to increase the thickness of said intermediate layer so as to provide a sufficient gap for the passing of said lower half of said zipper slider.
 4. A thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, comprising: a softside luggage comprising a lining, and a zipper comprising two zipper tapes and a zipper slider slidable to close/open said zipper tapes, each said zipper tape comprising a lateral part stitched to said lining of said softside luggage, wherein two thick pad elements are respectively affixed to the lateral parts of said zipper tapes and then fastened with said zipper tapes to said lining of said softside luggage such that said thick pad elements define a vertical gap in said softside luggage below said zipper tapes for the passing of a lower half of said zipper slider.
 5. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said thick pad element comprises an insertion groove located in a top side thereof for receiving the lateral part of the associating said zipper tape.
 6. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein each said thick pad element comprises an insertion groove located in a bottom side thereof for receiving the lateral part of the associating said zipper tape; said thick pad elements are selectively fastened to said zipper tapes by stitching or bonding, each comprising two thin thickness portions respectively extending along two opposite lateral sides thereof for fastening to the lateral part of the associating said zipper tape.
 7. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said thick pad elements are stitched with transverse end edges of said zipper tapes of said zipper tapes to corner areas of said lining of said softside luggage.
 8. A thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement, comprising: a softside luggage comprising a lining, and a zipper comprising two zipper tapes and a zipper slider slidable to close/open said zipper tapes, each said zipper tape comprising a lateral part stitched to said lining of said softside luggage, wherein two thick pad elements are respectively affixed to said zipper tapes and said lining of said softside luggage such that said thick pad elements define a vertical gap in said softside luggage below said zipper tapes for the passing of a lower half of said zipper slider.
 9. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said thick pad elements are respectively mounted at respective lateral parts of said zipper tapes at a bottom side and fastened with said zipper tapes to said lining of said softside luggage by stitches; the gap between said two thick pad elements is larger than the maximum width of said zipper slider.
 10. The thick pad-integrated double-layer nylon zipper or single-layer nylon reverse zipper and luggage mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lining comprises a lining fabric; said lining fabric comprising an upper part disposed above the lateral part of each said zipper tape, and a lower part disposed below said zipper tapes and said thick pad elements; said softside luggage further comprises a cloth wrapped metal frame set in between said lower part of said lining fabric of said lining and each said thick pad element; said thick pad elements are flexible packing strips selected from the group of extrusion molding plastics, foam molding plastics and stitched cloth materials. 